The power of five: Midland City Council listens, strategizes at goal-setting retreat

Cathy Nelson Price

Published 7:00 pm, Sunday, January 20, 2008

Daily News/KEVIN BENEDICT

City Councilman Joseph Rokosz laughs at a quip from Mayor Bruce Johnson in response to something Councilman Maureen Donker, far right, said during City Council's goal-setting retreat on Saturday at City Hall. At far left is Tom Adams, mayor pro tem, and in the background is Councilman Hollis McKeag.

The cameras were turned off, and there were a few more jeans and boots in evidence than you'd normally see on a Monday night City Council telecast. But this was Saturday, and under their casual attire, the Midland City Council was all business during the annual daylong goal-setting retreat, a prelude to the budget and programming decisions they'll have to make in the upcoming fiscal year.

They didn't "retreat" very far, seated at long worktables in Council Chambers. Following a closed session as they discussed the MCV litigation, the doors were opened to the public to watch as elected officials listened to staff presentations, asked questions and set the course for the city in the coming year.

The morning session was a series of updates from city department staff, including Director of Fiscal Services David Keenan, Fire Chief Lee Garcia, City Engineer Brian McManus and Utilities Director Noel Bush. Assistant City Manager Jack Duso had the dubious honor of detailing the problems and possible solutions concerning the financially troubled Currie Municipal Golf Courses.

Midland Area Chamber of Commerce CEO Sid Allen, one of the few non-city staff who spoke, recapped progress made by Projects for Public Spaces, the volunteer group of about 60 people who have "identified opportunities for public space improvements," Allen explained. Council members Maureen Donker and Tom Adams both have been active with PPS.

While that group continues to move forward with efforts such as Discovery Square, the Riverfront area and the proposed Center City Initiative, Allen said he's found that getting new business to invest in Midland, specifically in shopping center development, is currently a tough sell. "We're somewhat hampered by the overall economic situation in our state," he said.

Planning Director Keith Baker shared some conceptual drawings of how the downtown area might look someday, courtesy of the Downtown Development Authority's Downtown Market Study. The sketches of urban chic townhouses and specialty shops drew a collective "wow" from the council, with Mayor Bruce Johnson asking, "Do we really think there's a chance for this?" To which City Manager Jon Lynch responded, "If you don't have a vision to start with, you're not going to get anywhere."

Financing that vision might not get any easier, but reading about funding will. Paula Whittington, assistant city manager of human resources, reported that the next city budget will be reformatted, modeled after that of the City of Troy. "It will be broken down by departments and services," she explained. "It will be easy to read, and will educate the community about the services the city provides, how it spends their tax dollars."

The council received and reviewed a list of the boards and commissions' goals, developed over the past few months by the Aviation Advisory Commission, Cable Access Advisory Commission, Housing Commission, Parks and Recreation Commission, Planning Commission, Solid Waste Advisory Commission and West Main Street Historic District Commission.

Then, armed with all the new information, the council set its own 2008-2009 goals. First, as it was last year, is to "ensure economic sustainability." New additions to that overarching goal included reducing costs to produce and provide municipal services by reducing energy consumption.

As part of its goal to "provide outstanding quality of life via excellent services and amenities," the council added, "Create conditions that ensure housing opportunities for all citizens," and reaffirmed the importance of the Currie golf courses.

For the continuing benefit of city residents, as well as to keep Midland at the ready for proposed new business development, the council will be supportive of plans to maintain the long-term viability of public utility and public street systems. Look for members also to favor development of a non-motorized transportation network plan.

For a quick look at events, activities and personnel who work for or with the city staff and council, go to the city website at www.midland-mi.org